The Secret to Success!

It's a theme as old as time itself, and in self help books, DVDs and seminars the topic is worth £ millions in turnover. In a former role, as a teacher, I worked for years helping young people develop this in themselves finding that the difference between a student succeeding and failing was more down to this than any kind of natural ability. But even so it took a while for me to understand that this is the real key. And what is 'this'?

Belief.

I have come to learn that belief is the key to personal success. For a long time I thought, and taught, that it was work, or effort, and though important I now know that belief comes first. Without belief the inclination to put in sufficient work and effort soon dies.

In a recent BBC article "From thought to profit: How ideas become viable businesses" Timothy Mitchell, a 27-year-old "eccentric genius", and former Microsoft director, who says he's cracked artificial intelligence (AI) with computer codes and programmes that actually have the ability to learn, says:

"I have seen thousands of ideas die on the vine, because the individuals that have them never get over that fear of failing".

Fear of failure, or failure to believe, essentially comes down to the same thing. You let your worry that it won't work talk you into not working at it. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

In a very real way the battle for your personal success is won or lost in your head.

This understanding has been taught since ancient times. From the Christian ideal that "all things are possible to him that believeth" to Norman Vincent Peale's call to "Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful..." from The Power of Positive Thinking, the emphasis on belief remains.

We all have inherent abilities and talents, God given, and believing in them will unlock your success. That's the key, that's the start. That is where fear of failure is overcome.

More Reading

Using belief to overcome fear of failure is the theme of many resources on the subject, here are just a few:

The Power of Positive Thinking - Norman Vincent Peale

As a Man Thinketh - James Allen - FREE!

The Power of Concentration - Theron Q. Dumont - FREE!

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey

The Secret